LARRY BRACEGIRDLE was born in Winnipeg in 1948. He grew up in Montreal, and started painting in 1967. He now lives in British Columbia and has three children and three grandchildren.

(self-portrait: Smokin' - 20x24 - oil on linen)

Artist's Statement

When I was introduced to oil painting at the age of 19 by my best friend's mother, I had no concept of ever being a "real" artist. I just sort of fell into it. The work of the old masters had tremendous appeal to me, especially Vermeer. I had no idea I would actually end up painting interiors. For several years I studied traditional methods and materials on my own just for the sheer joy of it. I mixed my own mediums and primed canvases with rabbit skin glue and white lead. I learned how to draw. I even studied a rare volume of Salvadore Dali's called "50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship". I believed Dali when he said "art that does not spring from tradition is plagiarism". I didn't really know why at the time, but when Dali said "learn to paint like the old masters and then you can do whatever you want and people will respect you," I took him at his word. Now I understand that without the tools of tradition the artist is seriously hampered in his efforts at self-expression. He is limited to seeing what his contemporaries are doing and imitating them. Dali also stated that no masterpiece was ever created by a lazy artist, so I still work hard to make every painting as good as it can be.


ARTICLE:

Larry Bracegirdle: Radiating Hearth and Home
(from Magazin Art - Spring 2007)